The governnt system of the Elves slightly differed from Humans.
Unlike our Aristocratic ans of leadership, power was only concentrated on the Elf Royalty.
All decisions were made at the central level, and the Elf Queen had nigh absolute power in the land.
Concepts such as Nobility didn’t even exist.
The Royal Court of the Elves consisted of only mbers of the Royal Family–The Queen, the King, the Princes, the Princess, and mature relatives.
It was a monopoly of power.
However, did this an that the citizenry was displeased by this fact?
Not at all!
They only respected and admired the Royal Family even more. After all, they carried the weight of the entire nation on their shoulders.
Plus, they were also in charge of the greatest heritage of the Elves.
The murals on the walls depicted it well, and this particular existence was located in the Royal Palace.
The Sacred Tree!
As custodians of the most ancient of Trees, the Elven Royalty were saddled with the trust and responsibility of the whole Kingdom.
Such was their position.
And so, as I lifted my gaze, I saw the one who was at the helm of affairs among the Long Eared Race.
Queen Aurora Vindiel!
Other than the slight bags under her eyes, and the twinkle of age in her eyes, she looked just the sa as I rembered her.
‘No… she has grown quite a bit.’
Her perfectly flawed skin and beautiful features were indeed befitting of Elven Royalty. Freya looked a great deal like her–though younger and more attractive.
To think she had lived for so long and was now Queen.
‘Your sister would be very proud…’ I smiled a little, in nostalgia.
Other than the Queen, the King was also present. But, he simply stood at the right hand of the magnificent throne that his wife was seated on.
Claudius and one other male Elf were beside their father, while I spotted Freya standing beside the Queen–on the left side.
Behind the primary Royal Family–both left and right–were the other mbers of the Elf Royalty.
Their white hair made it obvious.
“Derius, you should also take your place here.” Her marvelous voice rang out and called for the bespectacled man behind .
Derius, a mber of Royalty himself, bowed slightly and made for the stairs leading to the Queen’s Throne.
Once he got to the peak, Derius bowed to the Queen once again, and took his place among everyone else.
I simply waited in silence, holding on for the ti I would be addressed.
“Firstly, I would like to render my thanks to you, and your group in extension, for the aid you have given my people,” Aurora spoke calmly.
Her poise was to be expected of the leader of her race.
She had changed so much from the loud personality I rembered her for.
“We only acted accordingly. Your thanks are wasted on us.”
Formalities weren’t my thing, but until the Queen herself specifically told not to resort to it, I would continue with the unnecessary show of reverence.
My eyes darted around the Hall and I spotted no guards.
There was no need for them, after all.
Royals were the most powerful mbers of the Elf Race. If all of them were gathered in the sa room, would there be a need for any additional security?
Only a madman would choose to be violent in the presence of such pressure.
“I see. Very well…” Aurora muttered.
Since I was allowed to look upon the Queen, I ensured to observantly stare.
“Then, may I ask a sowhat personal question?”
That reminded of what Freya pulled just yesterday.
‘Like mother like daughter, eh? It’s not like I’m in a position to refuse, so…’
“Please do, your Majesty.”
“Does this make you uncomfortable? Seeing an arrangent quite different from what you are used to. A Queen leading the people, the lack of a concept such as Nobility, and the humility you have had to display upon arriving here. Do any of these bring you discomfort?”
“They do not,” I responded honestly.
Once I said this, I spotted a glimr of happiness in Aurora’s eyes.
She had always been a bit too honest.
“That’s a relief. Then, shall we get to the topic? Please, rise on your feet. Let us have a proper conversation.”
I did as instructed and gave my thanks.
“Our Eastern Kingdom wishes to form an Alliance with the Elf Kingdom. The threat of the Demons is definitely greater than what either party can handle themselves. So, just as in the past, we wish to join forces once more with your people.”
“I see… and whose idea was this? Your King?”
“No, your Majesty. This was a plan I ca up with myself.”
Honesty was indeed the best policy.
“That makes sense. There was indeed a ntion of an Alliance by the Eastern Kingdom three years ago, but their approach was completely different from yours. That was why we didn’t even consider it in the past.”
I could only imagine what they had written in their proposals.
“Also, isn’t the story of the united front against Demons nothing more than a Fairy Tale? Why bring that up now?”
‘I see. So, that’s her angle…’
“The stories are true. I found moirs of the Great Sage, Lewis Griffith, where he recorded details of the conflict. That was how I was able to learn a bit about your culture and the truth behind the Demon War so many centuries ago.”
For humans, the conflict was sothing everyone believed to be a work of fiction. This was simply because of The Fool Arcana.
However, it wasn’t like the Arcana affected everyone.
People like still had their mories intact. The sa went for the Elf Royalty.
This was to ensure counterasures were in place, just in case the Demons went against our pact.
“I see. Then it all makes sense…” Aurora murmured.
I saw her flinch when I ntioned Lewis Griffith. That ant she still rembered… everything.
‘It’s not like she could have forgotten, in the first place.’
After all, how could soone forget the man who was her sister’s intimate lover?
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